The thought of using online bookmakers for sports betting might never have crossed your mind. After all, ‘real’ high street bookies offer the same activity without the risk of betting through a company that, for all you know, could just have started out. Maybe you’ve never heard of them, or they’re based in a foreign country or could simply be a group of chancers! So why would anyone take the chance of betting online at all?
What Are The Differences?
There are a lot of differences between betting online and betting in actual bookmakers. Firstly, you can bet online from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to head out in the cold or the rain and drive somewhere to place a bet. So it is incredibly convenient.
Hundreds of markets can be explored online. You may want to bet on a football match, but do you want to predict the correct score or maybe the first goalscorer? Maybe you think you can forecast the scores of multiple games and want the best odds for your acca? At the touch of a button, you can do this at home.
All the odds are instantly available so you can browse and decide which is the best for you. You can add a bet to an online slip and then change your mind. You can even compare various online bookmakers and find the one offering the best odds on the bet you want to make.
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There are also no limitations on the number of transactions you can place with online bookmakers. You can, in theory, place thousands of bets simultaneously, whereas traditional bookies can only take a few dozen bets at the same time. This results in radically lower costs for the online bookie that can be, and usually are, passed on to the punters. That is why you see so many sign-up bonuses, special betting options, VIP points, referral bonuses, and reload bonuses.
There are even monthly incentive plans that a traditional bookie could not possibly execute and therefore do not offer. This is particularly true in terms of competition, as the low-profit margin of traditional bookies and casinos often prevents them from offering such incentives for sports betting.
Online Bookmakers Resources
As well as all of this, online sports betting online bookmakers give punters greater access to information resources. Often they provide additional information on horse races, tips from experts as well as betting opportunities that are not dependent on location. The world is your oyster when it comes to placing a bet online.
You can also bet on multiple events from any computer that has access to the internet. You can research teams or races and explore past results and forms. Finding the best odds and placing your bet can be done in a fraction of the time it would take to get to and place a bet with a traditional bookie.
Online bookmakers have the ability to run 24 hours a day. So if you decide that you want to place an in-play bet on a game currently being played in South America, you can. A traditional bookmaker will be closed. And, even if there are no events to bet on (highly unlikely!), most online bookmakers will have loads of additional poker rooms or casinos attached to them, so you can still try those out.
Choosing Your Online Bookmakers
Choosing your site is the most important aspect of getting comfortable with online betting. You will never enjoy it if you don’t feel secure with the bookmaker or enjoy the quality of the site’s design. It is important to look around for what will suit you and your budget best.
Ensure that your bookmaker provides knowledgeable customer service agents who can deal with any questions you may have. Along the same lines, some sites have chatrooms where punters can get together to discuss games, teams or horses. So if you enjoy the social aspect of placing a bet, then these are the kinds of sites for you!
Pick a trusted, well-known brand that you know and like. Offers will come from everywhere, and some really are too good to be true. So if you’ve never heard of the company, have no idea where it is based, or just have a feeling that it might be dodgy, stay away from it. Don’t risk your own hard-earned money on a bookmaker you’re unsure of. So check out my bookmaker reviews for safe, secure, trustworthy online bookies, and always gamble responsibly.
1. What are the convenience factors of online bookmakers?
Online bookmakers offer numerous convenience factors that make them a superior choice over traditional betting shops. First and foremost, they are accessible around the clock, seven days a week, unlike physical betting shops that operate on fixed schedules. You can place your bets from the comfort of your home or anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating the need to travel to a betting shop.
Secondly, online platforms often have a more extensive range of sports and betting markets to choose from. These platforms allow you to bet on sporting events from all over the world, expanding your betting opportunities significantly.
Lastly, most online bookmakers offer mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. This adds another level of convenience as you can place your bets on the go, at any time.
Key takeaways:
- Online bookmakers are accessible 24/7, allowing betting from the comfort of your home.
- They offer a wider range of sports and betting markets from all over the world.
- Most online platforms provide mobile apps for added convenience.
2. How does the selection of bets compare online vs. in betting shops?
The selection of bets online bookmakers offer is generally far superior to those found in physical betting shops. Online platforms cater to a global audience and therefore cover a wider range of sports, from popular ones like football and horse racing to more niche sports such as darts or eSports.
Moreover, online bookmakers frequently offer more bet types for each event. They provide traditional bet types like match betting and handicap betting, but also more complex ones like over/under, correct score, or in-play betting, allowing for a more nuanced and detailed betting strategy.
In addition, online bookmakers typically allow for more sophisticated combinations of bets, such as accumulators or system bets, which can be more challenging to arrange in physical betting shops.
Key takeaways:
- Online bookmakers cater to a global audience, offering a wide range of sports.
- They offer a greater variety of bet types for each event.
- More sophisticated combinations of bets are usually available online.
3. How do the odds online compare to those in betting shops?
The odds offered online are often better than those offered in physical betting shops. Due to the lower overhead costs of running an online platform, online bookmakers can afford to offer more competitive odds. This can make a significant difference in potential winnings over time.
In addition, many online bookmakers offer ‘best odds guaranteed’ promotions, particularly for horse racing, ensuring that bettors always receive the best possible odds.
Finally, online platforms allow for easy comparison of odds between different bookmakers, enabling bettors to quickly locate the best value.
Key takeaways:
- Online bookmakers often offer better odds due to lower operational costs.
- Many offer ‘best odds guaranteed’ promotions.
- Online platforms allow easy comparison of odds between different bookmakers.
4. How do promotional offers compare online vs in betting shops?
Online bookmakers generally provide a wider range of promotional offers and bonuses than physical betting shops. These promotions can include welcome bonuses for new customers, free bets, enhanced odds, and cash-back offers.
Furthermore, many online bookmakers operate a loyalty program, offering regular customers additional bonuses and rewards. This competitive online landscape benefits bettors as they can take advantage of various promotions to increase their potential winnings.
Key takeaways:
- Online bookmakers often provide a wider range of promotional offers and bonuses.
- Many operate loyalty programs, rewarding regular customers.
- The competitive online landscape offers bettors opportunities to increase potential winnings.
5. How does the user experience differ?
The user experience provided by online bookmakers tends to be superior to that of physical betting shops. Online platforms are designed to be user-friendly, with clean, intuitive interfaces and various features to enhance the betting experience.
Many provide detailed statistics and live streaming of events to aid in making informed betting decisions. In addition, customer service options are usually more varied and accessible online, with live chat, email, and phone support commonly available.
Key takeaways:
- Online platforms often provide a more user-friendly experience.
- Many offer detailed statistics and live streaming of events.
- Customer service options are typically more varied and accessible online.
